Q&A: Degrassi: TNG's Cassie Steele
Source: AOL
Posted: 04/01/08 12:18PM
Filed Under: Television
By CHRIS JANCELEWICZ
Cassie Steele plays Manny Santos, who was known initially as a cute, sassy, head-strong cheerleader. For a time, Manny developed a rep as the "school slut", but is now growing up and establishing a new reputation for herself. In season 7, Manny is working hard to realize her dream of becoming an actress. We sat down to talk with Cassie about playing Manny, and what's in store for her as she heads off to university.
You're one of the few cast members who've been on 'Degrassi: The Next Generation' the entire time. What has it been like growing up on the show? How has that changed your outlook on life?
I mean, it's basically been my life since I was 11. I think your teen years are the most predominant years of your life, when you become who you are. I was on the show since I was 11, now I'm 18. That's all of my teen years devoted to Degrassi. The cast members are like my family - Miriam [McDonald, who plays Emma], she's like my sister. We're still best friends. It's kind of given me a different perspective, like an alternate route of living.
I never really went to a real high school. I think I transferred to three different high schools because it was so difficult for me to be in school. I never understood why I had to sit in class, that kind of thing. It's a different way of living, but I think I turned out OK.
Yes, with your co-stars as friends, they must have helped a little.
Definitely. Nina [Dobrev, who plays Mia] and I hit it off from the first day she came on set. We were together all the time. I've known Miriam since I was 11, and she was 13. We're now 18 and 20. It's crazy what a big part of my life she is.
Have you watched the old series?
No, I actually haven't. I don't really watch much TV. I'm a movie person.
Manny's had an abortion, there's been the "thong" episode, there's been the drunken video. She's had her fair share of ups and downs. What was the hardest episode for you to film?
I would have to say the abortion episode because I was really young when I did it. I was 14, the same age as the character. It was just really hard for me to get into it. I could only stay on set for 8 hours because I was under 16. It's difficult to get into the mood when everyone's like, "Oh my gosh, you only have 8 hours." But yeah, it was one of my more challenging performances.
You were capable of getting into that mood, though, of the frightening thought of having an abortion?
Definitely. Every girl can agree that it's a situation that they would never want to go through. It's terrifying, especially for someone of that age. Just going into high school, just finding out who they are, and this is thrown at them, and they really don't know what to do with it.
So why does everyone love to hate Manny?
Everyone loves to hate Manny because she's the girl who everyone slightly envies; she does what she wants to do, when she wants to do it. She kind of got over that phase, but when she was younger she was all about that. People envy her because she has the balls to do it.
She's not all bad. She's always been a great friend, a great support system. I think it shows through seasons 5-7. Especially seasons 6 and 7, when she really comes into her own. All the knocks she had to go through when she was younger made her a bigger person.
What ending would you choose for Manny, if you could?
That she does well in her aspirations to be an actor. She's going to theatre school for it, so I guess…live a good life. She's going to university with Emma, so they'll be best friends until the end. It's very cliché, but it's a happy ending.
What's in store for Manny in the rest of season 7, following the Spring Break episodes?
I think all I can say is that she follows her heart. She does what she knows is best, that's whether it will hurt her, or if it's really hard for her, she'll do it if she knows it's right. Life is life, and you just have to look at the big picture. I think that's what Manny does.
In the Spring Break episodes, Manny's fights with Jay seem really real.
We were a little stressed out. Those episodes were really, really hard. We're playing spring when it's the middle of summer. We're talking 30 degrees Celsius in Canada, and we're wearing jackets and a face of make-up. I get really heat sensitive. I love the heat, I hate the cold, don't get me wrong, but there's only so much I can take when I'm wearing a jacket. We're filming, and all of us were super-tired, but I think in the end we all did a terrific job.
Do you have a favourite episode?
I think my favourite would have to be the "thong" episode. It's the best girly episode to watch, because every girl has to go through that. I'm not just saying it because I'm in it, but it's just a great good-girl-turns-bad episode.
Do you see yourself as a role model for young girls?
I do. At first it was hard for me growing up - I mean, Manny was going through all these transitions, people were calling her the school slut, you know, she was a floozy and stuff like that. I'd be walking through a mall and people would be like, "Look, it's the Degrassi slut!" It was hard. But now, even though I'm only 18, I feel like I've really come into my own.
If you walk around insecure, people are just going to attack you. I've differentiated myself from my character. I hope that I'm a good role model, though. I have a little sister, she's 12, and is on the show as Joey Jeremiah's daughter. I try to be the best role model I can be for her. That's what's really important to me - how she looks at me, and how any other 12-year-old girl would look at me. That's what I base myself on.
What has been your weirdest fan experience thus far?
When I was at a mall tour, this guy came and wrote his number on my arm. I was like, "Eww…should I call security?" Actually, it was pretty flattering. I washed it off with alcohol and I didn't call it, obviously. I'm not really into the forward type.
You've released one music album, and you're recording a second one right now. What do you prefer, music or acting?
People ask me that question all the time, and I really have to say they're two completely different worlds. Both acting and music have been things that I've wanted to do my entire life. I can't even answer that, I love them both.
Let's just say you love show business, how's that?
Yeah. Sounds good.
Catch Cassie as Manny Santos on Degrassi: The Next Generation at 7:30 pm on CTV. Bust a Move Part 2, the second half of the Spring Break special, airs Monday, April 7th at 7:30 on CTV.
Want more Degrassi cast member interviews? We've also spoken with Nina Dobrev - check it out.
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